1 Introduction
2
Meritor Maintenance Manual MM-14P (Revised 10-19)
The Standard Meritor Tire Inflation System
(MTIS)
The Meritor Tire Inflation System (MTIS) uses compressed air from
the trailer to inflate any tire that falls below the system air pressure
setting during operation.
Air from the existing trailer air supply is routed to a control box, then
into each axle. Refer to Figure 1.1. The axles act as conduits to
distribute air through rotary union assemblies at the spindle ends,
which then distribute air to each tire as needed. If a tire is leaking,
check valves in the tire delivery lines prevent loss of pressure in the
remaining tires.
The MTIS warning light on the front of the trailer will come ON to
alert you if there is an excessive amount of air flow through the
system, which can be caused by a leaking tire or a loose
connection, or both. If the warning light comes ON during operation,
immediately find a safe place to bring the tractor and trailer to a
complete stop. You must repair components that caused the air leak
before returning the vehicle to service.
Standard MTIS does not eliminate the need to perform tire
inspections or wheel-end maintenance at regularly-scheduled
intervals.
The MTIS with the ThermALERT System
NOTE: ThermALERT became a standard feature in all MTIS kits
starting October 1, 2017.
The MTIS with the ThermALERT system detects when air is
escaping from the axle’s thermal plug and out through the hubcap
relief valve, which occurs if a wheel end is operating at an
abnormally high temperature. The MTIS warning light will come ON
to alert you to immediately find a safe place to bring the tractor and
trailer to a complete stop.
Air escaping from the hubcap relief valve produces an audible noise,
which helps you to identify the wheel end that is overheated. Do not
operate the trailer until the components are repaired.
The MTIS ThermALERT system does not eliminate the need to
perform tire inspections at regularly-scheduled intervals.
If the MTIS Warning Light Comes ON When
the Air System is Charging
When you start a vehicle, the MTIS warning light initially may come
ON while the air system is charging. However, if the warning light
stays ON for more than 10 minutes, a tire may be damaged and
losing air pressure. Inspect the tires for damage and air leaks.
Repair damaged or leaking tires before returning the vehicle to
service.
If the MTIS Warning Light Comes ON During
Operation
you must repair or replace components that caused the wheel
end to overheat before returning the vehicle to service. Upon
activation, the thermal plug must be removed and replaced.
The thermal plug is not reusable. Otherwise, the warning light
will continue to remain ON during vehicle operation, even
though the wheel end has been repaired. If you ignore the
warning light, and another wheel end overheats during
operation, serious personal injury and damage to components
can result.
escaping from the axle’s thermal plug and out through the hubcap
relief valve, which occurs if a wheel end is operating at an
abnormally high temperature. The MTIS warning light will come ON
to alert you that air flow through the system is excessive.
1. Immediately find a safe place to bring the tractor and trailer to
a complete stop.
2. Inspect the trailer hubs for air leaks.
3. Listen for the ThermALERT system’s audible sound at the
wheel end. If you hear the sound, the wheel end is overheated.
Do not operate the trailer until the wheel-end components are
repaired. If a wheel end overheats during operation, it can
separate from the vehicle. Serious personal injury and damage
to components can result.
4. If you do not hear the ThermALERT system’s audible sound at
the wheel end, inspect the tires for damage. Repair damaged
or leaking tires before returning the vehicle to service.